{"id":2584253,"date":"2026-03-26T19:03:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T23:03:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/andy-barr-threatens-tv-stations-with-over-amnesty-ad\/"},"modified":"2026-03-26T19:06:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T23:06:26","slug":"andy-barr-threatens-tv-stations-with-over-amnesty-ad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/andy-barr-threatens-tv-stations-with-over-amnesty-ad\/","title":{"rendered":"Andy Barr threatens TV stations with over amnesty ad"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fandy-barr-threatens-tv-stations-with-over-amnesty-ad%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2584253&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>An exclusive washington Examiner report describes kentucky Rep. Andy Barr\u2019s push to silence a political ad in his Republican primary race to replace retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell. Barr\u2019s campaign attorney sent cease-and-desist letters to state cable and broadcast stations, demanding they remove a 30-second spot from the Club for Growth-affiliated Win it Back PAC that labels Barr \u201cAmnesty Andy barr\u201d for voting in 2018 to \u201cprotect illegals from deportation.\u201d The letters argue the ad is patently false, misleading, and portrays Barr unfairly, warning that Barr will pursue legal and equitable remedies if the ad remains on air. The ad targets Barr in a crowded primary that also includes Nate Morris and former state Attorney General Daniel Cameron, with Trump having given neutral or limited support to the candidates. The piece notes the controversial immigration bill behind the ad would have offered a path to citizenship for Dreamers and added border-security provisions, but it ultimately failed in the House; Barr contends he never supported amnesty and says the ad misrepresents both the bill and Barr\u2019s position. Barr\u2019s attorney also contends that a portion of the ad implying the bill would \u201cprotect illegals from deportation\u201d is inaccurate and taken out of context.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Andy Barr seeks to thwart &lsquo;patently false&rsquo; Kentucky Senate ad with cease and desist<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2497075\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>EXCLUSIVE &mdash;<\/strong> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kentucky\/\">Kentucky<\/a> Senate candidate Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/watch\/2497075\">Andy Barr<\/a> (R-KY) is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/state-ags-threaten-legal-action-against-biden-admin-push-for-taxpayer-funded-abortion\/\" title=\"State AGs Threaten Legal Action Against Biden ...min ... for Taxpayer-Funded Abortion\">threatening legal action<\/a> against local TV stations unless they pull from the air what his campaign attorney assails as a &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bondis-handling-of-epstein-files-sparks-rift-with-bongino-and-patel-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Bondi\u2019s handling of Epstein files sparks rift with Bongino and Patel - ...\">patently false&#038;rdquo<\/a>; immigration ad from a conservative PAC supporting primary opponent <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4423848\/musk-donates-10-million-pro-trump-kentucky-senate-candidate-nate-morris-succeed-mcconnell\/\">Nate Morris<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In a cease-and-desist letter first reported by the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> and sent to all state cable and broadcast stations, Barr campaign attorney Sloane Carlough wrote that the congressman is &ldquo;prepared to pursue all legal and equitable remedies necessary to &hellip; end the ongoing publication of these false, defamatory, and malicious statements.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4505204\/graham-platner-poll-maine-senate-race-janet-mills\/\">Graham Platner holds comfortable lead over Janet Mills in Maine Senate race: Poll<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4474607\/cpac-call-for-unity-gop-infighting-trump-midterm-elections\/\">CPAC begins annual conference with call for unity amid GOP divisions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4504362\/democrats-blame-dhs-shutdown-sarah-bedford\/\">Democrats aren&rsquo;t acting as if they will bear &lsquo;blame&rsquo; for DHS shutdown: Sarah Bedford<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The contentious episode is the latest in what&rsquo;s been a bruising primary to replace retiring longtime Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) that will be settled on May 19. Seventh-term congressman Barr, wealthy entrepreneur Morris, and former state Attorney General Daniel Cameron are all gunning for the nomination for the safe Republican seat. President Donald Trump is neutral and has praised all three.<\/p>\n<p>The ad in question is a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MediumBuying\/status\/2036759501198553591?s=20\">30-second spot<\/a> from the Club for Growth-affiliated Win it Back PAC that accuses &ldquo;Amnesty Andy Barr&rdquo; of voting in 2018 to &ldquo;protect illegals from deportation.&rdquo; The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/115th-congress\/house-bill\/6136\">legislation<\/a> was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/realDonaldTrump\/status\/1011952266268545024?s=20\">backed<\/a> by President Donald Trump in his first term but <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/house\/393460-hardline-immigration-bill-fails-in-the-house\/\">failed after a revolt<\/a> from more centrist Republicans.<\/p>\n<p>Barr supported the immigration proposal that would&rsquo;ve offered a pathway to citizenship for millions of &ldquo;Dreamers&rdquo; &mdash; those who entered the country illegally as a child &mdash; provide Trump border wall money, and cease family border separations. It would have also bolstered other immigration restrictions, including fewer family-based visas, changes to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/desantis-has-a-tougher-border-security-record-than-trump-here-are-the-receipts\/\" title=\"DeSantis: Stronger Border Security Than .... Proof Inside.\">diversity visa lottery program<\/a>, slashed sanctuary city funding, and the creation of an E-Verify program for agriculture workers.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;To keep illegals out of Kentucky, keep Amnesty Andy out of the Senate,&rdquo; the Win It Back ad says.<\/p>\n<p>Barr&rsquo;s cease and desist letter, sent Wednesday, called the ad &ldquo;patently false and misleading.&rdquo; It urged stations to remove the content from its airwaves &ldquo;to protect your viewers from this deceptive advertising.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., speaks at the annual Fancy Farm picnic, Aug. 2, 2025, in Fancy Farm, Ky. (AP Photo\/Mark Humphrey, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Barr did not receive a response from any TV stations as of Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>The Club for Growth&rsquo;s Win It Back PAC did not provide a comment.<\/p>\n<p>Barr&rsquo;s attorney took particular issue with the ad&rsquo;s reference to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >separate violent sexual crimes committed<\/a> by illegal immigrants in Kentucky that &ldquo;dishonestly portrays these criminals as beneficiaries of Rep. Barr&rsquo;s vote&rdquo; because they would not have qualified for amnesty under the immigration bill. The cease-and-desist letter also said a snippet of Barr in the ad saying the proposal &ldquo;did provide protection from deportation&rdquo; was taken out of context.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This bill was backed by President Trump and despite what the ad claims, the vote was not to &lsquo;protect illegals from deportation&rsquo; &mdash; the vote was to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ex-border-patrol-chief-biden-admin-paying-contractors-millions-a-day-to-not-build-border-wall\/\" title=\"Ex-Border Patrol Chief: Biden ...min Paying Contractors Millions A Day To Not Build Border Wall\">support border security<\/a>,&rdquo; the cease-and-desist letter says. &ldquo;Calling this a vote to &lsquo;protect illegals from deportation&rsquo; is like accusing a lawmaker of voting for corporate tax breaks because a national defense bill included a narrow tax provision for military contractors.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3759190\/mitch-mcconnell-retiring-nate-morris\/\">MITCH MCCONNELL IS RETIRING. ESTABLISHMENT DONORS HAVE DECIDED WHO THEY DON&rsquo;T WANT REPLACING HIM<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Barr added in a statement to the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that he &ldquo;never [has] and never will support amnesty.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Barr&rsquo;s attorney concluded in her letter that the campaign was &ldquo;taking this matter very seriously and will be forced to pursue legal and\/or equitable remedies if you do not comply with these demands.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Barr moves to block &#8216;patently false&#8217; immigration ad<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2584254,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP25290523246339.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[3712,62154,50410,42346,76623],"class_list":["post-2584253","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-amnesty","tag-andy-barr","tag-controversy-2","tag-political-ad","tag-tv-stations"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP25290523246339.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2584253","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2584253"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2584253\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2584257,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2584253\/revisions\/2584257"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2584254"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2584253"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2584253"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2584253"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}